Nearly 20 Years Later, Woman Faces Charges in 1998 Theft Case

A suspect in the theft of $10,000 in Lewis County dating back nearly 20 years was recently extradited from the East Coast and on Monday made her first appearance in the case in Lewis County Superior Court.

Peggy L. Maxwell, 58, was charged Monday with first-degree theft. She was granted $20,000 bail, the same amount as on her arrest warrant in the case.

According to court documents, in May 1998, a man representing the “Civil Rights Defense League” talked with Maxwell about needing the services of an attorney.

Maxwell allegedly told the man she was affiliated with an attorney and could secure that attorney’s services for a $10,000 retainer.

The man reportedly paid Maxwell the money, and she put it in her bank account, according to court documents. The money never got to an attorney.

A civil case was brought in the matter in Lewis County in 1999. The criminal charge was originally filed in Lewis County in 2001.